Bambi Diamond Edition on DVD & Blu-Ray 3/1

It had been a while since I'd watched the Disney animated classic, Bambi, but I remembered enough to keep the tissues handy.  In fact, I hadn't seen the classic since a theater viewing with my mom and brother as a child.  This time it was a home viewing of Bambi with my own children.  We all agreed it was a roller coaster of emotions, but well worth the ride.  This high-definition Diamond Edition classic can certainly still hold it's own with the more modern releases.

Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Gnomeo & Juliet Giveaway is # 43 ohstac.

Style Lab Fashion Design DS Game (Review)

Cordelia (my almost 10 year old daughter) and I were contacted recently about reviewing the Ubisoft release called Style Lab Fashion Design for the Nintendo DS handheld gaming system.  Cordelia adores all things fashion and frequently has time to kill time in the car on the way to dance competitions and other events, so the answer was of course yes.  Below please find Cordelia's review of this title:

Velveeta Shepherd’s Pie Skillet

As a Kraft Delicious Byte Blogger, I was offered the opportunity to share an exclusive first look at this recipe from VELVEETA and Bob Evans®.  The recipe is close to one I've been making for years.  I'm going to have to make this version for the kids, hubby, & I on St. Patrick's Day.

Achooz (Boogie Wipes for Grown Ups)

Two years ago I reviewed a product called Boogie Wipes that I've continued to faithfully use on the kids since first discovery.  If you missed that review, the gist of it was that Boogie Wipes are superior to tissues when it comes to nose blowing and wiping.  They utilize natural saline to dissolve boogies making them a far more pleasant experience than a dry tissue.  Let's face it, kids cower from that tissue you are clenching because it can really hurt an already irritated nose.

Our Kitchen Remodel Continues: Painting Products

Our kitchen remodel has continued to move along.  The entire family is happy to have the demo phase of this kitchen project behind us.  What a mess that can be!

Now for the fun part ...  An electrician was here last week to install some lights and move a few outlets for us.  Plus, last Friday the new countertops were installed.

Today the tile guy arrives to begin repairing and tiling our floor.  He's also tiling our backsplash and doing some dry wall repairs.  I can't wait.  We focused most of our attention this weekend on installing a few new cabinet doors and doing a good deal of painting.

Chicago Area: Free Session of Jumping Fun at Pump It Up

Chicago-area residents now have the opportunity to CHOOSE an energy provider! Spark Energy is a multi-state provider of low-cost electric service offering significant long-term savings to current ComEd customers. Learn more at http://www.sparkenergy.com/.

To Celebrate, Spark Energy in Chicago Offers a FREE Session of Jumping Fun at Pump It Up!
This President’s Day – Monday, February 21st – many children will be off of school and moms will be searching for kid-friendly activities. Spark Energy in Chicago will be offering a downloadable coupon for a FREE session of jumping fun at designated Chicago-area Pump It Up locations.

How to download the coupon – available beginning at 5:00 p.m. CST on 2/19:

The Special Agent Oso R.R. Rapide Command Center by Learning Curve

My twin boys have been really into playing with "guys" lately.  They'll go for long stretches of time roleplaying with their various figures.  Central to roleplay for them both has been a new toy sent for review by Learning Curve.  Our beloved new addition to play is called the Special Agent Oso R.R. Rapide Command Center.

New Temptations by JELL-O

How does rich cheesecake, velvety chocolate, or luscious fruit pie sound to you? Are you tempted? Kraft Foods just introduced Temptations by Jell-o, a new line of layered snacks all weighing in under 150 calories per serving.

Moon Dough Magic Zoo

Spring 2011 brings a new release from one of the twins favorites', Moon Dough.  Recently Spinmaster's Moon Dough asked the twins and I to review their new Moon Dough Magic Zoo.

Giveaway Winners Announced

We have some winners to announce with recently ended giveaways!

Dreft Review & Dreft Gift Basket Giveaway

I'm a redhead with freckled sensitive skin.  As a baby, my mom complains my skin was often bright red as a baby due to allergic reactions to detergents and other irritants.  Now a mommy of 5, I have relied on Dreft for years to help protect the skin of my littlest ones.  In fact, we still frequently use it.  My 10 year old daughter has followed in my foot steps with very sensitive skin and does best when her clothes are washed with something gentle like Dreft.  Dreft is even available in an HE version for the newer machines.

Dinosaur Train Pajamas at Kohls!

Need new PJs for your little guys?  I have just the pair and you better head to Kohls now to get it!  Kohl’s currently has these super cute and fluffy  “Dinosaur Train™ Striped Footed Pajamas” to keep your "Buddy" fans warm and cozy.  We were sent one pair for review and had to practically run out to Kohls so the twins didn't have to share.  The dinosaur appliques on the feet are my favorite part and who doesn't love a kid in and stripes?  SRP is $26.00, available in sizes 2T-5T.

Keep up on all the latest Dinosaur Train happenings by visiting http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/.  Much thanks to the Jim Henson Company for providing this snuggly pair of pjs for my review and making this great show to begin with!

Baby Bullet Review & Giveaway

Ever heard of the Magic Bullet?  There is a new version of this household must that is designed specifically to aid with feeding your littlest ones and it's aptly called the Baby Bullet.

The "Hole" reason for our Kitchen Remodel

After taking out three layers of flooring and equal amounts of sub-flooring we have finally unearthed the hole that prompted our whole kitchen revitalization.

Yoplait Kids Yogurt

With characters like Cars, Dora, and the Disney Princesses on the outside of the container and less sugar on the inside, Yoplait Kids Yogurt has found a way to please everyone.

A Funny Said/Heard Story & Contest Info from the makers of Alka-Seltzer

Ever have a funny Said/Heard Mishap?  You know, when what person hears is completely different than what a person actually says?  The Alka-Seltzer brand asked if I would share one of my own with readers.

I didn't have to dig back too far in the archives for something to share either.  If you have little ones, these funny misunderstandings are a near daily occurrence.  

Valentine’s Day Cookie Ball Recipes

As a Kraft Delicious Byte Blogger, I am frequently provided with exclusive recipes, new products, and other info to share with readers.  Today, I have some fun no-bake treat recipes to share for Valentine’s Day.  These exclusive Cookie Ball recipes and decorating tips are all about presentation!  Below find instructions to make Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookie Balls, Conversation Heart Cookie Balls, and the adorable Lovesick Lovebug Balls.

Bumbleride Stroller introduces the Movement Edition

Over the past couple years, the twins & I have had the pleasure of testing out a few different strollers including the Bumbleride indie twin.  Our review post of that stroller has remained a very frequently visited one to this day.  Buying any stroller is a huge decision, even bigger if you are buying a double stroller.  Hardest still, in my opinion, is finding a double stroller that works well for twins.  Since Bumbleride is on our short list of strollers that work in this category, I thought readers and new visitors would want to hear about the latest developments for 2011.

Hershey's plays Cupid for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming up and if you have a child in school, that likely means you need to stock up on the Valentine exchange items. 

This year, Hershey's is making it easier for you to add a tasty touch to exchanges with the inclusion of some of their small chocolate treats such as Hershey’s Miniatures Assortment or Cookies ‘N’ Crème.  Just grab a pen because this cleverly packaged array of Valentine-ready snack-size treats come complete with a section to address the receiver right on the packages.

On DVD for Kids, February 8th

With Valentine's Day right arounf the corner, here's a few titles that might buy Mommy & Daddy a quiet moment or two!  In stores tomorrow are new releases from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Nick Jr. & Marvel's Superhero Squad.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Masquerade (Available with or w/out Mickey Mote)

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade starring Disney’s Fab Five -- Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Daisy – takes viewers on an all new adventure as they dress-up in their favorite costumes for Minnie’s Masquerade Ball.

Sesame Street Silly Storytime DVD Released

Elmo fans such as my twin toddler boys will be happy to hear about the February 1st release of the Sesame Street Silly Storytime DVD.  It features the beloved Sesame Street characters in classic fairytales including Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood.

Winner of the Game Day Party Prize Pack From Kraft

Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite Super Bowl recipes for a chance to win.  There are a ton of great ones there I will definitely be referencing in the future.  Even if you aren't the winner, you may want to check out those recipe entries in the comment section of my post.  The winner as picked by Random.org is #86 jakiesmom who shared a really simple Velveta Queso recipe. 

Super Bowl Party Game Questions

The Big Game is tomorrow and clearly all of you were out shopping in preparation because the stores were packed everywhere I went.  Yikes!  Whether you are having a party or just watching the game with family, I thought some of you might find my little list of Super Bowl questions handy tomorrow.  We usually print off one for each person watching with us.  It really helps keep everyone's interest.

Here's my suggested list of questions:

Childhood Memories of Hot Wheels & Big G Cereals (+ Giveaway)

Cereal and Hot Wheels are both something that go way back in my personal memory banks. I can remember sitting around the breakfast table with my brother Bill (Billy) eating cereal and deciding what we were going to do that day. It wasn't unusual for playing with his Hot Wheels car collection to be on the list. My husband tells me he spent many days playing with his Hot Wheel collection with his brother as well.

Our Blizzard Photos

Hershey’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Sweepstakes (+ Hershey's Chocolate Giveaway)

Don't forget to add a mini touch of chocolate to your football packed weekend with treats like the Hershey’s Miniatures Assortments we are giving away below.  But first, we had some other news relating to both Hershey's and Football.

Valentine’s Day with Buddy from Dinosaur Train (Giveaway)

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Buddy and the entire Dinosaur Train clan by downloading FREE Dinosaur Train Valentine’s Day cards for your child to share with friends & family AND find the “perfect match” with the Dinosaur Train Make A Match game from Pressman Toy.

GNOMEO & JULIET Movie Gear Giveaway

Touchstone Picture's Gnomeo & Juliet hits theaters everywhere in 3D on February 11th.  As many of you may know, GNOMEO & JULIET is an off-the-wall makeover on Shakespeare’s classic tale of Romeo & Juliet set to the music of Elton John.  Two garden gnomes, Gnomeo (voice of James McAvoy) and Juliet (voice of Emily Blunt), try to avoid tragedy and find a happy ending to their star-crossed love affair when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors.  I've included the trailer below for everyone to check out.

KRAFT’s HOMESTYLE Macaroni & Cheese Dinners

The snow just keeps coming here in Chicagoland.

Last night's Blizzard weather seemed like the perfect time for some warm comfort food like Mac & Cheese.  However, we ventured away from the classic cheddar flavored Kraft Macaroni Trail and tried the other flavors. This risk was not without reward, yum!

Giveaway Winners Revealed

The winner of the P&G / Walmart Family Movie Night Pack is #82 Shel.
The winner of the Tassimo T20 Brewbot is #291 Michelle.

Valentine's Day Shopping @RedEnvelope (Giveaway too)

There's a blizzard pounding Chicago right now, so some online shopping for a Valentine Gift (or two) for hubby sounded perfect.  Provided gift certificate in the ready, I scoured the Red Envelope site for Valentine presents and found quite a few that might work.

Pampers "Gifts to Grow" Program Celebrates Parents as Unsung Heroes

To kick off a new year of Gifts to Grow and celebrate parents everywhere, Pampers has launched a Facebook contest and other activities to award parents for all they do each and every day — from being a Kitchen Commander or Star Photographer to tackling Meal Time and Potty Training. Parents can now also visit the Pampers Facebook page to nominate a friend, family member or even themselves to be recognized as a real “Unsung Hero” by sharing various awards via the Facebook platform. Parents will also be able to receive special incentives and rewards from Pampers Gifts to Grow catalog, as well as enter to win a signed diaper bag from Frankel.

Floored with our Flooring

Last week we had a tile guy out to measure for flooring so we could place our order and to give us an estimate on the install.  We are doing all the prep work, but wanted a professional to lay the actual tile.  While there, the tile guy confirmed as we had suspected, we needed to take out the layer we still had down of wood backing before he could start.  No problem!

This past weekend while I was in downtown Chicago with our daughter at a dance competition, hubby started tackling what we thought would be the final layer.  What he found under that next board wasn't expected.  There was yet another layer of linoleum tile down there.  In fact, it was clearly the original flooring laid in the kitchen when the house was built sometime in the late 40s.  I actually was impressed with the original owners vision.  Can you see how well it went with the original wood floors?  Who knew we had been walking around on so many layers of flooring.  Our Pergo laminated floor was floating over both some 70s linoleum and some late 40s linoleum.

Looks like we have another solid day or two of prep work on the kitchen floors.